In Divine Friendship (Letters of Counsel and Reflection)

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Back of the Book

What is divine Friendship? Imagine someone who gives you strength and understanding, seeking nothing in return; who offers, but never imposes, his views. Imagine someone who is always forgiving, respectful, and loving, even under the most adverse circumstances. This begins to describe Swami Kriyananda, as seen through the letters in this book. This extraordinary book of nearly 250 letters, written over a thirty-year period, responds to vital challenges confronting spiritual seekers everywhere, such as:

Meditating more deeply

Overcoming self-judgement

Attracting a mate

Responding to illness

Raising children

Earning a living

Responding to world upheavals

Connecting all of these letters is the love, compassion, and wisdom of Swami Kriyananda, one of the leading spiritual figures of our times.

The letters describe in detail his efforts to fulfill his guru's commission to establish spiritual communities-world brotherhood colonies-and offer invaluable advice to people everywhere on how to avoid the temptations of materialism, selfishness, and pride.

A spiritual treasure that speaks to spiritual seekers at all levels.

About the Book

FOR MANY YEARS, SWAMI KRIYANANDA has signed his letters to friends and students In divine friendship. What does friendship look like when it is expressed in the highest divine way?

Imagine someone who never judges, who loves you despite your faults, who sees you in terms of your highest spiritual potential, and is totally committed to helping you realize that potential.

Imagine someone who gives strength and understanding, seeking nothing in return, who offers, but never imposes, his views. Imagine someone who is always forgiving, respectful, and loving, even under the most adverse circum- stances.

This begins to describe Swami Kriyananda, as seen through the letters in this book. His unconditional love and deep wisdom have helped truth seekers throughout the world uncover their own divine potential. This, ultimately, is the message of this book and also the message of his life.

About the Author

SWAMI KRIYANANDA became a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda in 1948. His great guru trained him for a life of editing, writing, and lecturing to spread the teachings of Kriya Yoga worldwide. He has given thousands of lectures in many countries, written over ninety books, and composed over 400 pieces of uplifting music.

Kriyananda is the founder of Ananda Sangha, a worldwide organization which disseminates Yogananda's teachings. In 1968 he founded a spiritual cooperative community which has expanded to eight communities and shrams in the United States, Europe, and India based on Yogananda's ideal of world brotherhood colonies. Today more than 100 Ananda meditation groups worldwide serve thousands of spiritual seekers interested in the vast and timeless teachings of yoga.

Swami Kriyananda was recently appointed to membership in the prestigious Club of Budapest, joining such luminaries as the Dalai Lama. He lives in India.

Foreword

This book of letters by Swami Kriyananda is entitled In Divine Friendship. What is a divine friend?

Imagine someone who never judges, who loves you despite your faults, who sees you in terms of your highest spiritual potential, and is totally committed to helping you realize that potential. Imagine someone who gives you strength and understanding, seeking nothing in return, who offers, but never imposes, his views. Imagine someone who is always forgiving, respectful, and loving, even under the most adverse circumstances.

This begins to describe Swami Kriyananda, as seen through the letters in this book.

A newspaper reporter once asked Swami Kriyananda why so many people love him. Kriyananda's answer was, Perhaps it's because I love them. Love is the magnet that draws love, and love is the thread that connects the letters in this book, whether to students, friends, or total strangers.

Swami Kriyananda's life of service began in 1948 when he became a disciple of the great Indian yogi, Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi. Trained by Yogananda for a life of writing, editing, and lecturing, Kriyananda has given thousands of lectures in many countries, written over 85 books, and composed over 400 pieces of uplifting music. He is the founder of Ananda Sangha, a worldwide organization that disseminates Yogananda's teachings.

On many occasions, Yogananda strongly encouraged the establishment of world brotherhood colonies, places where people could live simply, guided by spiritual ideals. Fulfilling his guru's vision, in 1968 Kriyananda founded Ananda Cooperative Village, which has expanded to eight communities and ashrams in the United States, Europe, and India. Letters covering the various stages in the development of the Ananda communities are included in this book.

Swami Kriyananda once described Paramhansa Yogananda as wearing his wisdom without the slightest affectation, like a comfortable old jacket that one has been wearing for years.

The same can be said of Swami Kriyananda. Clearly and with deep insight, he explains in these letters how to live every aspect of life in attunement with the Divine. Ultimately, it is divine attunement that enables Kriyananda to offer God's love and friendship to all, and that will also enable other truth seekers, inspired by his example, to do the same.

Contents